About: This is the first chapter in a book which describes seven dramatic journeys taken from Irish history and mythology. In this chapter the author utilises his knowledge of mountaineering and of the outdoors to pen what could be called the definitive account of the actual flight of Red Hugh O’Donnell and Art O’Neill through the Wicklow Hills to get to Glenmalure. In 1592, they had just escaped from Dublin Castle and were planning to join up with Fiach MacHugh O’Byrne. The escape and flight is commemorated in an annual ‘Art O’Neill Walk’ / ‘Art O’Neill Challenge’, which starts at Dublin Castle and ends in Glenmalure.

Publisher / Place of Publication: The History Press / 50 City Quay, Dublin 2

About: This recently launched book is a miscellany of short pieces on aspects of Wicklow’s history, personalities, social life and culture. It is a gentle introduction to the youngest county in Ireland and can be dipped in and out of at will.

About: In the last quarter of the 16th century, Feagh Mac Hugh O’Byrne was the pre-eminent Gaelic chief in Leinster and was a constant thorn in the side of the English authorities. He was known as the ‘Firebrand of the Wicklow Mountains’ and this article explains his rise and fall.

ID number(s): 0791-8224

WW Connection #1: The O’Byrne territory ranged across the Wicklow mountains, West and East.

Extra #5: This article is an abridged version of an essay which won the Irish Chiefs’ Prize in History 2013. The full essay is entitled ‘Burning their bridges: the opposition of the Gabhal Raghnaill and Feagh Mac Hugh O’Byrne to the process of Anglicisation during the long sixteenth century’.

About: The seventh publication of a set of articles on aspects of West Wicklow history. This issue contains articles featuring locations from Coolattin to Croatia. It even strays into east Wicklow with an article on Charles Stewart Parnell and his times by Mary Bergin. However, the major article runs to almost a quarter of the entire publication and is a substantial essay, by Dunlavin native Chris Lawlor, on Feagh Mac Hugh O’Byrne.

ID number(s): 0790-1739

Contents: Preface from the Chairman — Ramblings of the Secretary — A man of integrity? The varying roles of Robert Chaloner, Earl Fitzwilliam’s land-agent during Black ‘47 / Fidelma Byrne — Contextualising a chieftain’s career: the case of Feagh Mac Hugh O’Byrne / Chris Lawlor – Wicklow Farm Labourers: a facet of the 1880s Land War / Pádraig G. Lane — The RIC and the IRA in Wicklow’s War of Independence / Kevin Cullen — Constable James Stephen Cunningham and his family / Shay Cunningham — Some facts about the activities of Mark Forstall in Croatia / Luka Vukusic – Scurlock’s Graveyard / Brian McCabe — The annual inspections of the Dublin & Blessington Steam Tramway Company in 1912 and 1913 / James Scannell — Donard’s New Church, 1925 [from the Leinster Leader Saturday, 18th July, 1925] — The Wicklow landlord who held sway over the British Empire: Parnell and his times / Mary Bergin — Raids, robberies and attacks: West Wicklow during the Civil War / Jason Lawlor.

About: The third publication of a set of articles on aspects of West Wicklow history. This issue covers some of the main locations within the boundaries but also widens the area of interest to include Ballymore-Eustace and Rathvilly.

About: A compendium of folklore, myths, legends, ballads, stories and history that encompasses the Wicklow Hills in their widest sense. The length of individual entries ranges from single paragraphs to several pages.